Veteran safety Michael Lewis might not be in the San Francisco 49ers' gameplan for their Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, and, if he has his way, may not play another down for the 49ers.
Lewis has reportedly lost trust in the Niners organization and has asked for his release, according to the Sacramento Bee. The veteran safety did not attend practice Friday and isn't expected to travel with the team to Atlanta, according to the Bee.
Coach Mike Singletary said Lewis' reason for missing practice was personal. When asked if Lewis' absence was related to football, Singletary declined to elaborate.
"I don't want to go into whether it's football or family," Singletary said. "I don't want to go into that. Anything you want to find out about that, you'll have to talk to Mike."
Lewis, 30, has started all 50 games in which he has appeared with the 49ers. The veteran took a pay cut to remain with San Francisco for a fourth season. He played his first five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I told him to go ahead and do what you have to do," Singletary said. "As far as whether he'll make the trip or not, I'm not sure at this point. It depends on if things get worked out or not."
Singletary didn't confirm if safety Taylor Mays would get the bulk of the playing time if Lewis is out.
"It means that you have to wait and see how things work out," he said. "You know, Taylor just has to be ready, as he is, every week and if he gets the chance to play a little extra, then great. We'll see how it works out."
On Wednesday, Singletary denied an NFL Network report that Lewis and veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes were on the verge of being benched, saying there would be no lineup changes this week.
Obviously, that could change depending how the Lewis saga plays out.
"I don't want to get into, 'If he were here,' and all that stuff," Singletary said. "All I know is he's not here for personal reasons."
